Pre-selected Men's watches in the 2016 GPHG

Quill & Pad’s Predictions In The Men’s Category Of The 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

Our panel members choose their winners in the Men’s category of the GPHG between the Czapek Genève 33 bis Quai des Bergues, Tudor’s Heritage Black Bay, the Hermès Slim d’Hermès Email, Chopard’s L.U.C XPS 1860, Urban Jürgensen’s Reference 2340, and the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire.

Ulysse Nardin Dual Time sitting by a dock in the bay at Airlie Beach

A Ulysse Nardin Dual Time Sitting By The Dock In The Bay. But What’s Going On?

It should surprise nobody that a Ulysse Nardin Dual Time gets out of the office from time to time, and it is well known that Ulysse Nardin has an affinity for the sea. But what on earth do you think that this Dual Time might be doing at this marina? Perhaps it’s waiting for it’s ship to come in? Let us know what you think is going on in the comments.

An overview of the author's Italian period fountain pens

The Quest For My Ultimate Fountain Pen Part 2: The Italian Period

Italians have the gift of making even the most common object look great. They can even make a coffee grinder with enough sex appeal to make Tom Jones jealous! For a relatively small country, Italy still has quite a few fountain pen manufacturers. And I think that I have tried products from almost all of them!

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde SW Lady

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde SW Lady: Fresh And Sporty

To me, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde line constitutes one of the most classic-looking timepieces around. So imagine my surprise to learn that the Grande Seconde is now being introduced in a sporty “SW” version for women. What do I think of this 41 mm watch? Read on to find out.

Object of desire: the author’s grandfather’s dress pocket watch

My Grandfather, The Watch Collector

When my grandfather passed away, he left a watch in safekeeping for me and I treasure it to this day. Fully forty years later, I inherited a previously unseen box of my grandfather’s watches, revealing him to have been what I had become: a watch collector.

Pre-selected Ladies' High-Mech watches in the 2016 GPHG

Quill & Pad’s Predictions In The Ladies’ High-Mech Category Of The 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve

Welcome to the 2016 edition of Quill & Pad’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève predictions in which the team picks favorites and explains why. The pre-selected finalists are: Ulysse Nardin Skeleton Tourbillon Pearl, Bulgari Serpenti Incantati Tourbillon Lumière, Christophe Claret Marguerite, Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Tourbillon with Gold Bridge, Louis Vuitton Tambour Color Blossom Spin Time, and Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down Art Deco.

Collage of a selection of the largest collection of Patek Philippe minute repeaters in one place

Extraordinary: The Largest Grouping Of Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters In One Place

Patek Philippe gathered the largest grouping of its rare minute repeaters in one place in mid-2016. This unique event was broadcast live via the Internet as the focus of Robb Report’s first Master Class, in which the magazine’s editors partnered with the esteemed watch brand to present eleven rare and exceptional minute repeaters. Here we recap the exceptional timepieces.

Elegantly casual Ochs und Junior Perpetual Calendar

Ochs und Junior Perpetual Calendar: Enduringly Battling Complexity

Sometimes, searching for simplicity is the hardest route to take, especially when complexity arising from simplicity is the goal.

But some people like a challenge.

Ludwig Oechslin’s challenge to himself has resulted in one of the simplest perpetual calendar mechanisms in existence in the new Ochs und Junior Perpetual Calendar. And you’ll love its minimalist look, too.

A Martin Braun Eos as seen on Contrapante.com (photo courtesy Contrapante)

Contrapante.com: Serving The Secondary Market For Watches By Independent Watchmakers

It is often hard to obtain is a second-hand watch by an independent watchmaker. But now, you can go to Contrapante.com, a division of vintage dealer Analog/Shift and the first retail website for pre-owned independents. And here is the best bonus: it is headed up by an enthusiast watch collector who perfectly understands the needs of someone looking to buy one of these pieces.

Raúl Pagès' Soberly Onyx

Raúl Pagès Soberly Onyx: Unexpected Bests

Meet the sublime Soberly Onyx, a beautiful compilation of taste, design, rarity, and supreme talent by Raúl Pagès, an extremely skilled independent watchmaker and restorer. Upon successfully completing a modern automaton, he set his sights on a more universal object and a functional design: his first watch.